Fauna
Bird

American Woodcock

Scolopax minor

Also known as Timberdoodle

American Woodcocks are plump mottled woodland shorebirds with very long bills, short legs, and large eyes set high on the head. They probe soft soil for prey by day, while males perform spiraling display flights over openings at dusk.

woodland shorebirdsoil proberaerial display
American Woodcock reference1 / 7
Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyEarthworms, beetle larvae, snails
Predators
  • hawks
  • owls
  • foxes
ThreatsLoss of young forest, collisions, pesticide exposure, hunting, and drying soils
HabitatsYoung forest, damp thickets, alder cover, forest openings, and moist fields
Life spanOften several years, with some banded birds surviving beyond eight years
Classification
  1. FamilyScolopacidae
  2. SpeciesScolopax minor
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Watch displays from field edges without entering concealed nesting or feeding cover.
Responsible observation
  • Listen: A nasal ground call precedes the male's twittering dusk flight.
  • Identify: Look for a round mottled body, long bill, and eyes placed high and far back.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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